Otis College of Art & Design

Otis College is a 4-year, private university located in Los Angeles, CA. Students at Otis College can enroll in bachelor’s, master’s, and certificate degree programs.

Otis College of Art & Design Military & Veteran Support Programs

Otis College offers the following veteran and military support programs:

• Otis College has GI Bill approved programs
• Does not have a Student Veterans of America chapter
• Does not offer credit for military experience
• Awards credit for the CLEP exam
• Is not approved for Tuition Assistance
• Otis College is a Yellow Ribbon school
• Otis College is not a MyCAA approved school

Is Otis College a GI Bill approved school?

Yes, Otis College is a GI Bill approved school.  However, you will need to check with the school to ensure that your preferred degree program is covered by the GI Bill. For more info, please contact veteran services and/or admissions here.

Yes, Otis College is a Yellow Ribbon school.

Eligible military and veteran students may have up to 100% of their tuition covered, with zero tuition costs out-of-pocket.  You will need to check with the school to ensure that your preferred degree program is 100% covered by the Yellow Ribbon.  For more info, please contact veteran services and/or admissions here.

Does Otis College offer Yellow Ribbon for master’s programs?

Yes, Otis College offers Yellow Ribbon funding for master’s programs.  

Eligible students may have up to 100% of their tuition covered, with zero costs out-of-pocket. You will need to check with the school to ensure that your preferred advanced degree program is in fact covered by the Yellow Ribbon. For more info, please contact veteran services and/or admissions here.

Does Otis College offer a military discount or reduced tuition rates for military and veterans?

No, Otis College does not offer a military discount or reduced tuition for military and veterans.

What are Otis College’s tuition rates for military and veterans?

At $1,507 per credit hour Otis College's tuition rate for active military exceeds the Tuition Rate assistance cap of $250 per hour. This means that the student may have out-of-pocket costs. For more info, please contact veteran services and/or admissions here

What are Otis College’s online tuition rates for military and veterans?

At $1,507 per credit hour Otis College's online tuition rate for active military exceeds the Tuition Rate assistance cap of $250 per hour. This means that the student may have out-of-pocket costs. For more info, please contact veteran services and/or admissions here. 

Does Otis College offer online degree programs?

No, Otis College does not offer online degree programs.

Is Otis College a MyCAA school?

No, Otis College is a Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) approved school.  For more info, please contact veteran services and/or admissions here.

Message from Otis College of Art & Design

Otis is ranked #10 in the nation for student diversity. We are a small, intimate community, yet very diverse.  Students are surrounded by peers who have different backgrounds, life experiences, etc. from each other. Students learn just as much from each other as they do from faculty. (Ranking by Chronicle of Higher Education)

We have students from all over the country, and about 26% international students. About 24% of our students are first-generation college students, and about 28% of our students are transfer students. Otis has a student-faculty ratio of 6:1, so students receive lots of individualized attention, and your faculty members are very accessible.

Undergraduate Programs (BFA)

First-year students start in the Foundation program, which is a year of exploration and honing your skills. Then students start in their major program in the second year. 

• Communication Arts - Graphic Design, Illustration
• Digital Media - Animation, Game & Entertainment Design, Motion Design
• Environmental Design - Architecture / Landscape / Interiors, Interiors + Furniture 
• Fashion Design
• Fine Arts - Painting, Photography, Sculpture/New Genres
• Product Design
• Toy Design

We also have 17 different minors to choose from:

• Advertising Design
• Art History
• Book Arts
• Community Arts Engagement
• Contemporary Clay
• Creative Writing
• Digital Media
• Entrepreneurship
• Graphic Design
• Illustration
• Painting
• Photography
• Printmaking
• Product Design
• Sculpture/New Genres
• Sustainability
• Teacher Credential Preparation 

Graduate Programs (MFA)

You’ll develop your craft in a rigorous, supportive environment that provides a strong intellectual foundation for your future as a professional artist or designer.

• Fine Arts
• Graphic Design

Preparation for a Creative Career

California is the 5th largest economy in the world, and Los Angeles has one of the largest creative communities in the world. There are 792,600 creative jobs in the LA region according to the Otis Report on the Creative Economy that the College jointly issues each year.

Otis students are a part of this community, which creates opportunities for learning in and out of the classroom, internship experiences, and job opportunities.  1 in 7 jobs in the LA Region are Creative Industry jobs.  We can also hire the best faculty from a vast array of working professionals. 

The Otis Report on the Creative Economy chronicles the creative economy of Los Angeles and California through five creative industries through eight regions of the state. 

Our Career Services department collaborates with faculty from each major to ensure that Otis students are prepared for internship and job opportunities. Career Services offers: 

• Unlimited one-on-one career counseling appointments
• Specialized career workshops year-round 
• Employer Recruiting and Information Sessions
• Online Job & Internship Board with a over 3,300 new opportunities posted in the last year
• Special career events, Intern Recruitment Day, panel discussions, industry workshops and info sessions
• Career assessments
• Strategic partnerships with companies, organizations and private foundations to support scholarships, mentoring programs, internship funding, and more
• Academic Partnerships across Otis, plus courses in business and professional practices in every major
• Graduates of Otis College have access to Career Services for life!

Of the Class of 2019, 93.5% were employed or in graduate school within 1 year of graduation, and 94% of graduates are working in art and design fields. This speaks to how well prepared Otis graduates are to enter the working world!

About Our Community

Otis is ranked #10 in the nation for student diversity. We are a small, intimate community, yet very diverse.  Students are surrounded by peers who have different backgrounds, life experiences, etc. from each other. Students learn just as much from each other as they do from faculty. (Ranking by Chronicle of Higher Education)

We have students from all over the country, and about 26% international students. About 24% of our students are first-generation college students, and about 28% of our students are transfer students. Otis has a student-faculty ratio of 6:1, so students receive lots of individualized attention, and your faculty members are very accessible.

The Student Veterans Committee is committed to facilitating streamlining/coordinating academic and social programs to enable student Veterans and veteran dependents to gain the greatest benefit of their educational experience. We meet once a month and participate in fun events together such as trips to the movies and a yearly outing.

Getting Ready to Apply

All Veterans and Veteran Dependents qualify for a Veteran Fee Waiver when you apply, so you will bypass the $50 application fee. Feel free to connect with Otis Admissions to learn more! 

Otis Admissions recruits a global community of diverse, multidisciplinary creatives by providing individualized support, fostering inclusivity, empowering students to make informed decisions, and granting equitable access to Otis College's BFA and MFA programs.